The Jewish Nervous Condition

At university in South Africa, we read a remarkable book, called Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga (published in 1988). She stated, “The condition of a native is a nervous condition.” This all refers to the psychosocial effects of colonization. 

Israel belongs to the Jews, it always has from biblical times and, of course, as Israel was colonized, Jews were dispersed all over the world. Right now, when referring to a nervous condition in 2023, I refer to the nervous condition of being a Jew.

This is the nervous condition, since the 7th of October 2023 attacks around the world, of Jews who are afraid to leave their Mezuzahs on their doors, to wear yarmulkas on their heads or Magen Davids around their necks. But truly why all the hatred? Why more than any other race or nation or religion are Jews hated so much by so many? Could it be jealousy? Could it be our amazing success due to our exceptional hard work and educational efforts? Our goodness? Does our goodness make people jealous?

Jews’ Contributions to the World

Let’s break down our magnificent contributions to the world, shall we?

Dr Ehrlich was a Jewish doctor who discovered Salvarsan which cures syphilis. And, if a person was to even take a test, called the Wasserman test, to find out if they had syphilis, they can thank a Jewish doctor too. More than that, a Jew created a method of discovering gonorrhea in the body. 

And what about Diabetes? Around 422 million people worldwide have diabetes including 90 million Muslims according to the National Institutes of Health. Well, insulin, used in the treatment of diabetes is the discovery of Jewish physician and physiologist Minkowski.  

And what about those who suffer from convulsions? Well, Oscar Liebreich, yet another Jew suggested the use of Chloral Hydrate. Let us not forget that Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, was Jewish.

How about diphtheria? Well, there’s always the Schick test developed by Jewish pediatrician Béla Schick.

What about Jewish Nobel Prize Winner, Robert Baram, who helped with the treatment of ear and brain damage. 

That is just medical science. What about the world of entertainment? All the major Hollywood studios from the 1930s were run by Jews leading to the boom of Hollywood Glamour, movies, song, and dance. In fact, one of the greatest directors of all time is Steven Spielberg, a Jew.

So, yes, I think jealousy is a big part of the hatred. Perhaps our good name has been mentioned too much in the news, or we are really close-knit and look after one another so carefully. But what is it truly? I can’t ever answer that because I am only on one side of the fence. I am an Ashkenazi Jew, 99% Ashkenazi in fact (according to 23andMe). I went to a Jewish day school, and I was taught to do and be the best I can be, at the same time, I was taught to accept all cultures, love humanity, and love and celebrate life.

Final Thoughts

So, let’s get back to the Jewish nervous condition. Is it safe right now to be a Jew? At this very moment, Monday the 13th of November 2023, I would say no, it is not safe to proudly show your tzitzit, yarmulka, or Zionist jewelry or accessories, at least outside of Israel. Right now, Israel is fighting for its survival, and I hope that the Jewish nervous condition forever turns into one of courage, faith, and success in ridding humanity of one of its greatest threats – religious extremist terrorists who want to destroy the world. 

Maybe one day, the Jewish condition around the world will be one of love and gratitude for all we have done and contributed to humanity – and that is all that will be shown to us.